Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1887-12-03


The English detective with a com.
panion, both well armed. rode ont in
the same direction a half hour after
the stage left. The road had not been
so infested OF late, but the Americans
understood the danger to which they
were exposed in the tfansportion OF
treasure, and made Their disposition
accordingly. Mr. Wood and one com.
panion occupied the front seat OF the
coach looking to the rear; the third
man OF the party sat with the driver,
as being crack shot with Winches-
ter rifle.
When they stopped for coffee at
eight o'clock no one had appeared to
modest the stage or create suspicion.
As they left the little inn the detective
appeared in sight, but the stage made
no ,lelay and the party we're again on
their way.
Suddenly the inside passengers de.
tected the effort of the driver to stop
his cumbrous team, and heard the
voice OF the American by his side
shout to him, eff you stop, I'll Kill
you; drive on and drive hard" Then
n rifle shot and another shout as he
passed down his rifle, and called for O
fresh one, which he received at once.
Mr.. Wood and his companions,
looGing from the coach, saw they were
pursued by eight horsemen, who were
now within two hundred yards at the
rear. Leaning from the coach win
dow, be cried out to the driver, 'Tf
those fellows catch US you are dead
mani" The threat told wonderfully
on the speed of the team.
Meanwhile the band approached,
and the three Americans fired togeth-
sr, throwing the ladrones into confu-
sion and forcing a halt; but they
\ rallied at once and six horsemen the
eight were drawing near when the
drivers companion by another shot
brought man to the ground. Atthis
| moment the detective and his guard
appeared in the rear Of the band and
Mr.. Wood ordered the driver to slow
down. The robbers discovered the
trick, for turning they saw the rein
forcement in their rear and lost no
time in leaving the road and making
of across the valley towards the
mountains.
The stage met no further adventure,
and Mr.. Wood was able to return to
Mexico in week The afternoon OF
his arrival be accompanied the En-
slish bank manager and the detective
to the hospital OF Guadalupe and
found there, to the surprise OF the
manager alone, the teller, Mr.. Carlos
Watfils, suffering from shattered leg.
1t is not my intention to mystify
the reader nor TO prolong uncertain
conditions in this little sketch.
/ may therefore say, without more
ado, that Mr.. Watfils's character had
been known to the detective who had
followed him to Mexico to get posses
sion OF his person If possible. for ut
tering counterfeit Bank OF England
notes. Andinow an opportunity offer
. ed by which the Mexican Government
could rid itself of rogue, and do q
. courteous act towards nation whose
good will it desired, although diplo.
: matte relations between thetwo coun.
tries were suspended.
IL Watfils were tried in Mexico ii
} was by no means certain that a con
viction could be secured under those
! laws. 1t was, indeed, a chance if the
Americans might not be made to sui
fer for killing men who had not at
2 tackled them. In this view OF the cast
Mr.. Watfils was sent across the water
with the English officer, and having
l been convicted in London OF the crime
of counterfeitiDg, was sentenced tc
twenty years penal servitude.-
r Youths Companion.